Leicester is known for a number of reasons including Walkers crisps, the Attenborough brothers and Premier League football.

But the symbol that is most synonymous with the city and county is the red fox.

In fact 'Why is Leicestershire most associated with foxes?' being the most searched item on Google for the county.

It's not surprising considering upon arrival into the county you can expect to be welcomed with a road sign featuring a fox. Known for its agile, clever and crafty ways, the fox is also used to represent the sporting scene of Leicestershire – with the fox appearing on the Leicester City logo and Leicestershire's County Cricket Club logo.

So, in the Heart of Rural England – just why is the red fox famous in the county?

The county is considered to be the birthplace of fox hunting as it is known today. Hugo Maynell, who lived in Quorn, is known as the father of fox hunting after establishing his pack of hounds here in the eighteenth century.

Some of the most famous fox hunts in the UK have also taken place in our county.

The Quorn Hunt, established in 1696, is one of the world's oldest fox hunting packs, with three Royal Navy Ships being named 'HMS Quorn' after the hunt.

Foxton, a village in Leicestershire, to the north-west of Market Harborough, was also given its name from the large number of foxes which inhabit the area.

From the Fox & Hounds in Tugby to the Fox and Tiger in Blaby - many pubs in the county have also been given their name inspired by the famous red fox. So it's as simple as that – the inspiration behind Filbert the Fox goes as far back as the traditions of fox hunting.